Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(6): 437-443
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-3837
Training and Testing
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Effects of Electromyostimulation Training and Basketball Practice on Muscle Strength and Jumping Ability

N. A. Maffiuletti1 ,  C. Gometti1 ,  I. G. Amiridis2 ,  A. Martin1 ,  M. Pousson1 ,  J.-C. Chatard3
  • 1 Groupe Analyse du Mouvement, UFR-STAPS, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
  • 2 Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physical Education, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Hellas, Greece
  • 3 Laboratoire de Physiologie, GIP Exercice, Faculté de Médecine de Saint-Etienne, France
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a 4-week electromyostimulation training program on the strength of the knee extensors and the vertical jump performance of 10 basketball players. Electromyostimulation sessions were carried out 3 times weekly; each session consisted of 48 contractions. Testing was carried out before and after the electromyostimulation training program (week 4) and once more after 4 weeks of normal basketball training (week 8). At week 4, isokinetic strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) at eccentric and high concentric velocities (between 180 and 360 ° × s-1); this was not the case for low concentric velocities (60 and 120 ° × s-1). Electromyostimulation training increased also isometric strength at the two angles adjacent to the training angle (p < 0.01). Squat jump increased significantly by 14 % at week 4 (p < 0.01), whereas counter movement jump showed no change. At week 8, gains in isokinetic, isometric strength and squat jump performance were maintained and the counter movement jump performance increased significantly by 17 % (p < 0.01). Electromyostimulation as part of a short strength-training program enhanced knee extensor strength and squat jump performance of basketball players.

References

  • 1 Amiridis I G, Cometti G, Morlon B, Van Hoecke J. Concentric and/or eccentric training-induced alterations in shoulder flexor and extensor strength.  J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;  25 26-33
  • 2 Augustsson J, Esko A, Thomee R, Svantensson U. Weight training of the thigh muscles using closed vs open kinetic chain exercises: a comparison of performance enhancement.  J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;  27 3-8
  • 3 Blackburn J R, Morrissey M C. The relationship between open and closed kinetic chain strength of the lower limb and jumping performance.  J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;  27 430-435
  • 4 Bosco C, Komi P V. Mechanical characteristics and fiber composition of human leg extensor muscles.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1979;  41 275-284
  • 5 Bosco C, Tarkka I, Komi P. The effect of elastic energy and myoelectrical potentiation of triceps surae during stretch-shortening cycle exercise.  Int J Sport Med. 1982;  3 137-140
  • 6 Cavagna G A. Storage and utilisation of elastic energy in skeletal muscle.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1977;  5 89-129
  • 7 Colson S, Martin A, Van Hoecke J. Re-examination of training effects by electrostimulation in the human elbow musculoskeletal system.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 281-288
  • 8 Conwit R A, Stashuk D, Tracy B, McHugh M, Brown W F, Metter E J. The relationship of motor unit size, firing rate and force.  Clin Neurophysiol. 1999;  110 1270-1275
  • 9 Coyle E F, Feiring D C, Rotkis T C, Cote R W III, Roby F B, Lee W, Wilmore J H. Specificity of power improvements through slow and fast isokinetic training.  J Appl Physiol. 1981;  51 1437-1442
  • 10 Currier D P, Mann R. Muscular strength development by electrical stimulation in healthy individuals.  Phys Ther. 1983;  63 915-921
  • 11 Davies C TM, Dooley P, McDonagh M JN, White M J. Adaptation of mechanical properties of muscle to high force training in man.  J Physiol. 1985;  365 277-284
  • 12 Delitto A, Brown M, Strube M J, Rose S J, Lehman R C. Electrical stimulation of quadriceps femoris in an elite weight lifter: a single subject experiment.  Int J Sports Med. 1989;  10 187-191
  • 13 Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Training effects of electrostimulation in human muscle.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988;  20 99-104
  • 14 Enoka R M. Muscle strength and its development: new perspective.  Sports Med. 1988;  6 146-148
  • 15 Friden J. Changes in human skeletal muscle induced by long-term eccentric exercise.  Cell Tissue Res. 1984;  236 365-372
  • 16 Froese E A, Houston M E. Torque-velocity characteristics and muscle fiber type in human vastus lateralis.  J Appl Physiol. 1985;  59 309-314
  • 17 Garnett R, Stephens J A. Changes in the recruitment threshold of motor units produced by cutaneous stimulation in man.  J Physiol. 1981;  311 463-473
  • 18 Gillam G. Identification of anthropometric and physiological characteristics relative to participation in college basketball.  Nation Strength Condit J. 1985;  7 34-36
  • 19 Goubel F. Series elasticity behaviour during the stretch-shortening cycle.  J Appl Biomech. 1997;  13 439-443
  • 20 Greenberger H B, Paterno M V. Relationship of the knee extensor strength and hopping test performance in the assessment of lower extremity function.  J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1995;  22 202-206
  • 21 Hainaut K, Duchateau J. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and voluntary exercise.  Sports Med. 1992;  14 100-113
  • 22 Häkkinen K. Force production characteristics of leg extensor, trunk flexor and extensor muscles in male and female basketball players.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1991;  31 325-331
  • 23 Häkkinen K. Changes in physical fitness profile in female basketball players during the competitive season including explosive type strength training.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1993;  33 19-26
  • 24 Heyters M, Carpentier A, Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Twitch analysis as an approach to motor unit activation during electrical stimulation.  Can J Appl Physiol. 1994;  19 456-467
  • 25 Hubley C L, Wells R P. A work energy approach to determine individual joint contributions to vertical jump performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  50 247-254
  • 26 Kanda K, Desmedt J E. Cutaneous facilitation of large motor units and motor control of human precision grip. In: Desmedt JE (ed) Motor Control Mechanisms in Health and Disease. New York; Raven Press 1983: 253-261
  • 27 Kitai T A, Sale D G. Specificity of joint angle in isometric training.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1989;  58 744-748
  • 28 Laughman R K, Youdas J W, Garret T R, Chao E YS. Strength changes in the normal quadriceps femoris muscle as a result of electrical stimulation.  Phys Ther. 1983;  63 494-499
  • 29 Lexell J, Henriksson-Larsen K, Sjöstrom M. Distribution of different fibre types in human skeletal muscles. A study of cross-sections of whole m. vastus lateralis.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1983;  117 115-122
  • 30 Martin L, Cometti G, Pousson M, Morlon B. Effects of electrical stimulation on the contractile characteristics of the triceps surae muscle.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1993;  67 457-461
  • 31 McInnes S E, Carlson J S, Jones C J, McKenna M J. The physiological load imposed on basketball players during competitions.  J Sports Sci. 1995;  13 387-397
  • 32 Miller S, Mirka A, Maxfield M. Rate of tension development in isometric contractions of human hand muscle.  Exp Neurol. 1981;  73 267-285
  • 33 Milner-Brown H S, Stein R B, Yemm R. The orderly recruitment of human motor units during voluntary isometric contractions.  J Physiol. 1973;  230 350-370
  • 34 Nardone A, Schieppati M. Shift of activity from slow and fast muscle during voluntary lengthening contractions of the triceps surae muscles in humans.  J Physiol (Lond). 1988;  395 363-381
  • 35 Nobbs L A, Rhodes E C. The effect of electrical stimulation and isokinetic exercise on muscular power of the quadriceps femoris.  J Orthop Sports Ther. 1986;  8 260-268
  • 36 Osterberg A, Roos E, Ekdahl C, Roos H. Isokinetic knee extensor strength and functional performance in healthy female soccer players.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1998;  8 257-264
  • 37 Pichon F, Chatard J C, Martin A, Cometti G. Electrical stimulation and swimming performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1671-1676
  • 38 Rajtsin L M. The effectiveness of isometric and electrostimulated training on muscle strength at different joint angles.  Theory Prac Phys Cult 1974; 12: 33 - 35. Translated in: Yessis Rev Soviet Phys Educ Sport. 1974;  12 11 35-39
  • 39 Sale D G. Neural adaptation to resistance training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988;  20 S135-S145
  • 40 Selkowitz D M. Improvement in isometric strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle after training with electrical stimulation.  Phys Ther. 1985;  65 186-196
  • 41 Siff M. Applications of electrostimulation in physical conditioning: a review.  J Appl Sport Sci Res. 1990;  4 20-26
  • 42 Solomonow M. External control of the neuromuscular system.  IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1984;  31 752-763
  • 43 Stefanovska A, Vodovnik L. Change in muscle force following electrical stimulation.  Scand J Rehab Med. 1985;  17 141-146
  • 44 Taylor N A, Sanders R H, Howick E I, Stanley S N. Static and dynamic assessment of the Biodex dynamometer.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  62 180-188
  • 45 Thépaut-Mathieu C, Van Hoecke J, Maton B. Myoelectrical and mechanical changes linked to length specificity during isometric training.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  64 1500-1505
  • 46 Thériault R, Boulay M R, Thériault G, Simoneau J A. Electrical stimulation-induced changes in performance and fiber type proportion of human knee extensor muscles.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1996;  74 311-317
  • 47 Thorstensson A G, Grimby G, Karlsson J. Force velocity relations and fiber composition in human knee extensor muscle.  J Appl Physiol. 1976;  40 12-16
  • 48 van Ingen Schenau G J, Bobbert M F, de Haan A. Does elastic energy enhance work and efficiency in the stretch-shortening cycle?.  J Appl Biomech. 1997;  13 389-415
  • 49 Wolf S L, Ariel G B, Saar D, Penny M A, Railey P. The effect of muscle stimulation during resistive training on performance parameters.  Am J Sports Med. 1986;  14 18-23

Nicola A. Maffiuletti

Groupe Analyse du Mouvement UFR-STAPS Université de Bourgogne

BP 27877 21078 Dijon Cedex France

Phone: Phone:+ 33 (380) 396762

Fax: Fax:+ 33 (380) 396702

Email: E-mail:Nicola.Maffiuletti@u-bourgogne.fr